IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: October 3, 2019
Location: Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We have to be getting close to the end of this taping cycle right? Takeover already feels like it was forever ago and we should have moved on to a new era. The women take center stage this week with Kay Lee Ray facing the often injured Tegan Nox. I’m not sure what to expect from this one but it could be good. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Piper Niven vs. Isla Dawn

They stare at each other for a bit before Piper starts in on the arm. Isla tries to whip Piper away and it goes as well as you would expect. A headlock takeover works just fine for Piper but it gets reversed into an armbar with Dawn pulling at the face as well. Dawn’s suplex attempt fails as well and it’s one more bad idea with Dawn trying a crossbody.

Piper crushes her with a seated crossbody and it’s back to the chinlock. It’s switched into a crossarm choke as Dawn can’t do much with Piper’s size. Another attempt at the belly to back suplex works for Dawn and a knee to the face gets two. The front facelock goes on but Niven powers up and hits the Michinoku Driver for the pin at 7:13.

Rating: C-. The holds took a lot out of this but the bigger problem here is how neither of them seem to be doing anything. This felt like two people in search of something to do and that makes for a pretty slow paced match. Niven winning wasn’t much of a surprise, though there is something in Dawn that could work if they would develop the character a little bit more.

Ilja Dragunov has a shoulder injury and isn’t cleared for tonight. Alexander Wolfe comes up and says that’s a shame because he likes Dragunov. Wolfe will take his match tonight so Dragunov can think about his future.

Video on the Hunt.

Niven wants a title shot but here’s Jinny to say that’s her spot. Jazzy Gabbert jumps Piper from behind to set up a battle of the….what’s the female version of hosses?

Alexander Wolfe vs. Saxon Huxley

The fans give Huxley a Jesus chant as he headlocks Wolfe over. Huxley flips him down for an armbar but Wolfe….takes down Huxley’s kneepad to escape. As Huxley fixes it, Wolfe kicks him in the face to take over for a rather smart heelish move. Something close to a Fujiwara armbar goes on for all of a few seconds so Wolfe suplexes him instead. Wolfe starts stomping on the hand before going to the classic neck crank, followed by another armbar. He’s certainly versatile when he hurts people.

Make that a chinlock, with Huxley loudly shouting no. An enziguri staggers Huxley but he’s right back with a Thesz press minus the press. A dropkick puts Wolfe into the corner and the fans are actually standing to cheer for Huxley. Wolfe avoids a pump kick though and snaps off a German suplex. The Batista Bomb finishes Huxley at 7:09.

Rating: C. Huxley is another guy who has one thing going for him and it isn’t anything about what happens once the bell rings. The match was a long form squash for Wolfe, who was a pretty obvious winner. The idea of Dragunov being part of the team to fight Imperium is interesting, but he’s going to need people to fight alongside him.

Ashton Smith is ready to bounce back when the Grizzled Young Veterans come in to mock him for being so far down on the totem pole. Insults are traded so Smith promises to get a partner for a match in the future.

Mike Bird vs. Jack Starz

Or not as Gallus has attacked Starz and drag him down to the ring. They put Bird over as the godfather of Welsh wrestling and list off some of the people he has trained. That includes Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews, so they would like him to send them a message. The beatdown is on with Andrews and Webster running in for the save, but Joe Coffey comes out to take care of the champs. No match of course.

Next week: Jazzy Gabbert vs. Piper Niven.

Kay Lee Ray vs. Tegan Nox

Non-title. Ray takes her into the corner to start and of course we don’t get a clean break. Nox gets in a slap of her own and Ray bails to the floor for a breather. Back in and Nox runs her over again, setting up a high crossbody for two. A departing Ray has to be thrown back in but she gets in a shot to the knee in a rather dastardly move. The seated abdominal stretch doesn’t exactly follow up on the knee but makes Nox scream anyway. Ray rolls her into a kick to the chest for two more as Nox keeps checking her knee.

Now it’s off to the other knee as Nox tries to adjust her brace. A gordbuster of all things gives Ray two but she misses a charge into the post to give Nox a breather. The knee is too banged up at the moment though so it’s a lot of clapping while Nox tries to get up. The slugout goes to Nox and she kicks Ray’s leg out for a change. An enziguri from the apron sets up a Molly Go Round (Nox was mentioned as being a Molly Holly fan) for two but Ray is back up with a superkick.

The Gory Bomb is countered into a rollup for two on Ray and Nox superkicks her for the same. Ray is right back up with a tornado DDT for her own two and it’s off to a guillotine in the middle of the ring. Ever the face, Nox powers up with a spinebuster but Ray puts it right back on. This time Nox manages to get to the rope for the break and busts out a chokeslam of all things.

It takes a little too long for Nox to get up top though and Ray crotches her down, only to get caught in the Canadian Destroyer for another near fall. The Shiniest Wizard gets the same with Ray having to get her foot on the rope. They head to the apron and Nox’s running knee goes into the post to crush the dreams. The Gory Bomb finishes Nox at 13:29.

Rating: B-. The storytelling was strong here and Nox is very good as an underdog face. It’s easy to get into what she’s doing as anyone can sympathize with someone who almost lost their career because they got hurt. Ray was great here by going after the knee and showed a side of herself that she hasn’t done before, which made for a rather good story.

Overall Rating: C-. After everything else this week, it’s almost weird to watch something that was just a show. There was nothing on here that you really needed to see, though it was a good way to reintroduce Nox to the NXT UK audience. Maybe it was just a letdown after everything else but you could skip this week and not miss much.

Results

Piper Niven b. Isla Dawn – Michinoku Driver

Alexander Wolfe b. Saxon Huxley – Sitout powerbomb

Kay Lee Ray b. Tegan Nox – Gory Bomb

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: September 4, 2019
Location: Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness. Vic Joseph

It’s a rare post Takeover edition here, meaning we’ll be seeing a bunch of post match interviews, highlights, and the two matches taped before the show started. After the marathon that was this weekend, a little breather is often a nice change of pace so hopefully that’s what we get here. Let’s get to it.

Here are Saturday’s results if you need a recap.

We open with the Takeover recap. A lot of that show doesn’t feel like that big of a deal, but the match and moment that did make up for a lot of it.

Opening sequence.

Piper Niven vs. Rhea Ripley

They go with the power shoves to start and Ripley’s big boot is shoved away. Some shoulders to the ribs work a bit better and Niven is down for a bit. Rhea stays on the back and tries a camel clutch but opts for a standing Cloverleaf instead. Niven pulls that down into a kneebar in the middle of the ring so Ripley kicks her in the arm for the break. A stomp to the back lets Rhea talk more trash and it’s off to a camel clutch neck crank.

Piper drops back on her for the break and it’s a Cannonball in the corner (GOTTA HAVE THE CANNONBALL!), followed by a Vader Bomb for two. The back gives out but Piper is fine enough to hit her in the face to block Riptide. A low crossbody connects (with Rhea’s leg folding underneath her but thankfully she seems fine) but Rhea hits her in the back again. This time Riptide finishes Niven at 8:42.

Rating: C. They had a nice story here with Ripley winning by staying on the back. That’s not the biggest surprise given that Ripley is now going after the regular NXT Women’s Title, meaning a promotion isn’t out of the question. Piper will be back as a monster in no time because she’s so much bigger than anyone else in the division so this is hardly some kind of a crippling loss.

Jack Gallagher is not medically cleared so we’ll need a suitable replacement to face Kassius Ohno.

The Grizzled Young Veterans ranted about their loss and demanded a two on two rematch. Johnny Saint says he’ll think about it.

He apparently thought about it fast as the rematch is next week.

Joe Coffey was banged up after his match with Dave Mastiff and needed a medic.

The Hunt (in suits) told Mastiff that he could beat Coffey.

Trent Seven checked on Tyler Bate after the main event.

Video on Tegan Nox, who debuts next week.

Kassius Ohno vs. ???

The replacement is…..Sid Scala, who hasn’t wrestled in a long time and is in most of a suit here. Scala looks fired up to start and spins out of an early wristlock. A head fake out of the corner lets Scala grab a middle rope sunset flip for two but Ohno gets in a kick to the leg. Some hard chops have Scala in more trouble before it’s back to the knee.

The leg gets stomped but Scala manages a neckbreaker across the corner for a unique escape. Ohno knocks him out of the air but Scala is able to forearm away back inside. Something close to a dragon screw legwhip cuts Scala off though and it’s the Dream Crusher to give Ohno the pin at 7:15.

Rating: C-. Scala was trying here and put in a good showing but they went the right way with the decision. Ohno continues to be a fine addition to the roster (odd result vs. Dragunov aside) as he can do almost anything he wants. Putting him against the bosses is an interesting idea as they could send quite a few names after him to make things more fun. This feels like part of a bigger story and that’s not a bad thing.

And that’s the show, which might be the shortest in the series’ history.

Overall Rating: C-. This wasn’t much of a show though I do appreciate them getting in and out faster than usual if they didn’t have much to show. They did their quick highlights and showed very little of note from after the matches, but we have a title match set up for next week. It’s a completely skippable show, unless you’re a big Ripley fan.

Results

Rhea Ripley b. Piper Niven – Riptide

Kassius Ohno b. Sid Scala – Dream Crusher

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: August 7, 2019
Location: Plymouth Pavilions, Devon, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English

With less than a month to go before Takeover: Cardiff, the card has mostly taken shape and now we have the big main event set. Tyler Bate vs. Walter for the United Kingdom Title could be the best match the promotion has ever had in its short history and that should be enough to carry the whole thing. In addition to that, it’s time to find out about the Tag Team Titles, meaning some Zack Gibson greatness. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with the Harley Race tribute video. I’d say he’s earned it.

Opening sequence.

Noam Dar vs. Ashton Smith

The bigger Smith drives him into the corner to start so Dar grabs the arm. Since it’s kind of hard to flip around with someone holding your arm, Smith gets pulled down without much effort. Smith goes to the arm as well with Dar heading straight to the ropes to show the intelligence. A nice dropkick works better for Smith but Dar claims an eye injury. As Smith has seen a Dar match before, he goes straight at Dar in the corner and gets backdropped to the floor.

Back in and Dar grabs the armbar again before countering an enziguri into the ankle lock. That lasts less than three seconds as Smith is right back up with a clothesline and a running kick to the chest. Dar kicks him in the leg and hits a running elbow to the back of the head for two of his own. This time it’s Smith playing possum so he can score with a superkick, but Dar avoids the middle rope leg lariat. The Nova Roller gives Dar the pin at 5:44.

Rating: C. There was something here with Dar’s goldbricking being well known by this point. It makes sense to go that way and is the next step in what he’s been doing lately. Smith is someone with obvious athleticism but he has nothing in the way of character or anything that makes him stand out. How many people does that apply to around here?

Post match Dar talks about how he’s here to wrestle all the time and promises to be in Cardiff. Thank you, bye bye.

Tyler Bate talks about Trent Seven not being medically cleared but he isn’t going to let Walter get away with this. In Cardiff, he’s becoming a two time champion.

Here are the Grizzled Young Veterans for a chat. Gibson does the usual intro and a fan asks where his car stereo is. Has he checked his car? Anyway, Gibson doesn’t want to hear about Gallus beating a bunch of Joe Blows and Johnny Kickpads to get a title shot. Cue Gallus to say they’re not demanding but rather taking their championship match in Cardiff.

Hang on though as here are Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews to interrupt. They want in on this title match as well because Andrews is the hometown boy in Cardiff. Webster knows they can beat both teams but Gibson says Johnny Saint makes the matches. If they want a title shot, earn it.

Video on Takeover: Blackpool, which is inspiring everyone to be ready for Cardiff. Various people are excited, even if they are unlikely to be on the show.

Travis Banks has promised himself that he’s going to Cardiff. Dar can say he’s going to Takeover all he wants but his spot isn’t guaranteed either. Banks leaves and Webster/Andrews come out of Saint’s office, saying they have to earn their Takeover spot as well. They can prove themselves over the next few weeks.

Jazzy Gabert/Jinny vs. Xia Brookside/Piper Niven

This could be interesting. Xia and Jinny start things off with Xia going straight to the dropkick. Jinny gets up an elbow in the corner but walks into a headscissors, which leaves Xia right in front of Gabert. It’s Jinny with a hard forearm to the face so Gabert can come in to knock Xia silly. A slam is enough to bring Jinny back in as Gabert isn’t the most time consuming monster.

Since no one is wasting time, Xia gets in her own shot to the face and brings Niven in for a running buckle bomb on Jinny. It’s right into the Gabert corner, with the announcers not being sure if that was a mistake or not. Niven knocks Gabert down and hits the running crossbody for two, followed by the backsplash to give Brookside her own two. Since Brookside is an average sized human, Gabert side slams her down to cut off the momentum.

Cue Rhea Ripley though and Piper brawls with her up the ramp. Brookside realizes she’s alone and grabs a Codebreaker on Jinny. Another headscissors sets up some running knees to Jinny’s back in the corner for two. Xia crossbodies both of them at once but Gabert shrugs it off and hits a Dominator for the pin at 7:40.

Rating: C. This was a nice way to set up a few things at once with Niven vs. Ripley being ready for a heck of a monster showdown later. At the same time, if Toni Storm survives Cardiff, Jinny and Jazzy would be a great next step for her. Jinny and Jazzy are a very good example of the formula that has worked for years so giving them a harder push would be fine.

Video on Toni Storm vs. Kay Lee Ray, with Storm citing Ray as an inspiration. Ray talks about seeing Toni as a bubbly girl and they have a long history in the ring. Now they get to do this on the big stage.

Ilja Dragunov was about to be interviewed in the dark when Kassius Ohno came in and turned on the light. That’s it for Ohno, which doesn’t sit well with Dragunov. They’ll fight next week.

Also next week: Flash Morgan Webster vs. Mark Coffey.

Dave Mastiff vs. Joe Coffey

They collide to start and slug it out with Coffey getting the better of things so Dave hiptosses him for one. Coffey is sent to the apron so he goes up but has to slip out of a German suplex attempt. The second attempt works better for Mastiff, though Coffey is able to pull the middle turnbuckle pad off at the same time. Coffey knows what happens and hits the running headbutt to the ribs in the corner, sending Mastiff into the buckle. A backbreaker and backsplash give Coffey two, followed by a fairly questionable armbar.

Mastiff headbutts Coffey down and throws him down with a release German suplex. One heck of a forearm to the ear stuns Mastiff and they head outside, where Mastiff hits him in the ear to bust it open. Mastiff hits him in the face and takes it back inside for a series of elbows to the ear. Another backsplash gives Mastiff his own two and Coffey heads to the apron. That means another running headbutt, sending Mastiff’s back into the buckle again. It’s a double countout at 7:44.

Rating: C-. It was a good enough power brawl though the ending felt pretty lame. You can pencil them in for a rematch at Cardiff in a similar story to Dominik Dijakovic vs. Keith Lee from the regular NXT, which isn’t a bad idea. Mastiff has been a well protected force around here and that could go somewhere if they decide to pull the trigger on him.

They have to be separated, with Mastiff shouting at Joe to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t their strongest show but they moved forward with most of the matches already set up for Takeover. There are still a few more things that need to be made ready and those can be hammered out in the next few weeks. Takeover can be a rather good show, and while this week wasn’t the best, the Bate vs. Walter match is going to be more than enough to carry everything.

Results

Noam Dar b. Ashton Smith – Nova Roller

Jinny/Jazzy Gabert b. Xia Brookside/Piper Niven – Dominator to Brookside

Dave Mastiff vs. Joe Coffey went to a double countout

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: July 24, 2019
Location: Download Festival, Leicestershire, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English

The build towards Takeover: Cardiff continues as we now have some challengers coming up for Walter. First up is Trent Seven, who is fighting for the injured Tyler Bate, taken out at Walter’s hands. Odds are Bate gets the shot at Cardiff, but that doesn’t mean this is a nothing match. Seven has been awesome as of late and this could be quite good. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Trent Seven arrives and is ready to knock Walter’s head off.

Opening sequence.

Kenny Williams vs. Noam Dar

Grudge match after a few weeks of issues. Feeling out process to start with Dar taking him down by the arm and grabbing a front facelock. That’s escaped in a hurry for a standoff and some nice applause. They grapple a bit more until Dar tries a school boy, only to have Williams be ready for it and ruffle his hair. Dar bails to the floor and catches Williams with a shot to the head to take over for real this time.

Vic thinks punching Williams in the face to take over was the turning point of the match as we hit the chinlock. Williams gets back up and hits a superkick to start the comeback. Dar is sent outside for the suicide dive and a top rope back elbow to the face keeps Dar in trouble. The springboard spinning crossbody misses though and Dar grabs a fisherman’s buster for two.

The ankle lock is broken up and Williams nails a rebound lariat for a double knockdown. Williams tries to hit the ropes but gets pulled down into the kneebar. That’s broken up as well in a bit of a surprise and Williams loses his shoe. With the referee getting rid of it, Dar kicks him low and nails the Nova Roller for the pin at 10:10.

Rating: C+. I liked this one more than I was expecting to as Williams looks to have the skills to go somewhere and Dar feels like a star. This was a good way to continue the feud and I wouldn’t complain about seeing them fight again. If nothing else, this was a good way to have a story going without a title, which the smaller shows tend to be a lot better at than the major shows.

The Grizzled Young Veterans don’t want to talk. Everyone has come after them and they have won every time because they’re locker room leaders. So what could anyone ask them about?

We look back at Kay Lee Ray surprising Xia Brookside to win the #1 contenders battle royal. She’s getting the title shot on August 31 at Takeover: Cardiff.

Jinny/Jazzy Gabbert/Kay Lee Ray vs. Xia Brookside/Toni Storm/Piper Niven

Ray hides from Storm to start so it’s Jinny taking over to start until Toni shoves her away. It’s off to Jazzy vs. Piper with Jazzy managing to knock her down. Since Jinny is willing to come in and take over, Niven runs her over instead. Xia comes in for a dropkick to Ray but walks into a gordbuster. Jazzy adds a big slam as the fans are staying with this one. That’s enough to bring Kay back in for the choking as Xia is a rather good choice to take a beating like this.

A good looking tornado DDT takes Ray down though and it’s back to Toni. Ray runs off again so Toni settles for a German suplex on Jinny. Everything breaks down and Toni hits a dive onto all three. Niven cannonballs off the apron onto them and Xia hits her own big dive from the top. Back in and Piper crossbodies Jazzy (nearly crushing Toni in the process) but Jazzy is fine enough to catch Xia on top. The middle rope X Factor gives Jinny the pin on Brookside at 7:36.

Rating: C. I can always go for a good six person tag and that’s what we got here. They had enough of the feuds going together at once and Xia has another reason to come after Jinny in the future. Jazzy vs. Piper could be a heck of a hoss fight in the future and Toni vs. Ray is already set. Not bad for less than eight minutes.

Trent Seven vs. Walter

Non-title. Trent dives on him to start and sends Walter into the barricade before the bell. They get inside for the first time to officially start but Trent sends him right back out for a baseball slide. Walter is back up and tries the powerbomb but gets backdropped on the floor instead.

Back in and Seven hammers away until Walter snaps off a German suplex. Seven’s chop to the chest just annoys Walter, who slams Seven right back down. The half crab sends Seven bailing to the rope as Walter is looking disgusted at him for not quitting. A missed big boot in the corner lets Seven chop him in the back of the neck, followed by a heck of a clothesline.

More chops annoy Walter, so he knocks Seven down again. Seven is all but out on his feet but manages a backfist to the face to put Walter on the floor. Walter tries to come back in on the top so Seven chops him even more, setting up a top rope superplex for two. They head outside again with Walter hitting a big boot and this time the apron powerbomb connects.

Seven is done so Walter powerbombs him again for no cover. There’s another powerbomb and cue the rest of Imperium to stare at the stage. Walter hits yet another powerbomb and the referee tells him to finish the match. The fourth and fifth powerbombs connect until the referee FINALLY stops it at 14:14.

Rating: B. This was a rather good storytelling device along with a hard hitting fight. They’re setting up Bate as the last hope to fight Walter and that’s going to be an incredible match, especially when he hits the Tyler Driver. Seven made Walter look like an absolute monster here and it was a rather good piece of business. As usual, Seven is a valuable asset and I’m sure he’ll be back.

Overall Rating: B+. This show hit on all three matches with the midcard feud, the women’s feuds and the big emotional main event stuff all working well. They’re really starting to click around here and Takeover could be an outstanding show given what else is going to be set up for the show. For once I have nearly full confidence in them to not mess this up, and that’s some rare air to be in.

Results

Noam Dar b. Kenny Williams – Nova Roller

Kay Lee Ray/Jinny/Jazzy Gabbert b. Toni Storm/Xia Brookside/Piper Niven – X Factor to Brookside

Walter b. Trent Seven via referee stoppage

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: July 3, 2019
Location: Download Festival, Leicestershire, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English

We have to be coming up on the end of this taping cycle. This week has a title match included with the Grizzled Young Veterans defending against Moustache Mountain in a rematch from Takeover: Blackpool. The crowd reactions continue to be the most interesting parts of these shows as the fans might not be the most familiar with the product. That makes for a better chance to see what works and what doesn’t, assuming NXT actually pays attention. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a look at the Grizzled Young Veterans winning the titles and Moustache Mountain fighting to get back to the title shot.

Opening sequence.

Rhea Ripley storms to the ring and, after telling the cheering fans to shut up, calls out Piper Niven for a fight right now.

Rhea Ripley vs. Piper Niven

Rhea manages to pound her down to start but the big running crossbody out of the corner gets Niven out of trouble. A trip to the floor lets Ripley snap Niven over the top rope and the beating continues outside. Niven gets posted to give Ripley one as the fans have moved to split. We hit the bodyscissors on Niven for a good while until Piper dropkicks her into the corner. Niven does exactly the same thing but Rhea drops her across the ropes.

The standing Cloverleaf has Niven screaming a lot until a rope is grabbed. That just makes Rhea even angrier so she slaps Piper in the face. A Saito suplex plants Rhea and the fans move to a more general NXT chant. An exchange of clotheslines goes nowhere but Rhea can’t hit Riptide. Instead Piper avoids a charge to send her shoulder first into the post, setting up the Piper Driver to finish Ripley at 8:33.

Rating: C+. I liked this more than I was expecting to and Ripley got in a lot on Niven. That being said, it makes sense to have Niven win here as we’ve seen Ripley at the top of the division before and it’s a good idea to let someone else get close to that level. Niven is an athletic monster and will likely be near the title scene soon enough.

Kenny Williams gets jumped by Noam Dar, who rubs his face in the mud.

Ilja Dragunov is back next week.

Jack Starz vs. Alexander Wolfe

The much bigger Wolfe works on the wristlock to start and then bends the arm back on the mat. With the arm work boring him, Wolfe hits a good German suplex and whips Starz from corner to corner. A pump kick rocks Starz again but he slips out of a fireman’s carry. Starz rocks him with a running uppercut in the corner but runs into a Death Valley Driver. The sitout powerbomb finishes Starz at 4:05.

Rating: D+. Nearly a complete squash here and that’s how it should have been. If nothing else it’s all you expect when Starz is out there. Wolfe is a great addition to the team as the four man unit looks better than the three man version. Imperium is going to need some long term competition and it could be interesting to see who joins British Strong Style against them.

Gallus is ready to destroy the Hunt and Dave Mastiff. The cameraman gets thrown out.

Toni Storm is in action next week as well.

Jazzy Gabbert vs. Mercedes Blaze/Dani Luna

Jinny is out with Gabbert. With Luna being knocked around, it’s quickly off to Mercedes, who gets crushed in the corner as well. Both women get crushed at the same time and it’s a Dominator to finish Mercedes at 1:44. Complete squash.

Kassius Ohno says NXT UK is in a state of emergency. If you want to save British wrestling, you need someone like him. Ohno likes a lot of the founding members of the roster but sees Mark Andrews as a follower. Andrews uses a superkick to be like Shawn Michaels, not realizing that it was a British wrestler named Chris Adams who perfected it.

Also next week: Gallus vs. The Hunt/Dave Mastiff.

Tag Team Titles: Moustache Mountain vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Seven gets sent outside for a slingshot knee/backbreaker combination. Back in and the chinlock keeps Seven down but a backfist finally allows for the tag to Bate. The BIG STRONG BOY chants start up and Gibson gets muscled over with a suplex. The standing shooting star looks to set up the Tyler Driver 97 but Gibson makes the save. That’s fine with Bate, who hurricanranas both of them down at once.

The big no hands dive takes out both champions at the same time and a powerbomb gets a very delayed two on Gibson. Everything breaks down and a superkick/neckbreaker combination sends Bate outside. A Backstabber into an assisted Fameasser gets two on Seven and Drake screams a lot. Seven tells him to take his best shot and it’s the Seven Star Lariat to take Drake down again.

The second hot tag brings Bate back in and a small package gets a hot two on Gibson. Everything breaks down again and Seven puts Gibson in the torture rack. Bate comes off the top with the knee to Gibson and a headbutt to Drake in the same landing. The Burning Hammer drives Gibson onto Drake but Imperium runs in for the DQ at 12:05.

Rating: B. I was getting into this one as they went along and the ending actually caught me by surprise. They came up with a smart way to protect the champs and keep the challengers looking strong while also setting up another match between Imperium and British Strong Style. Good stuff here.

Post match the beatdown is on as the fans dub Imperium as WALTER’S B******. Seven gets handcuffed to the corner as Walter apron bombs Bate. Imperium shouts a lot and poses to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This was one of those shows where they did everything they could have done in just under an hour. The main event was the best thing on the show and Imperium continues to look like the best thing about the show in its short history. I had a very good time with this and it absolutely flew by, which isn’t often the case around here. Keep doing this as we head into Cardiff and they’re in great shape.

Results

Piper Niven b. Rhea Ripley – Piper Driver

Alexander Wolfe b. Jack Starz – Sitout powerbomb

Jazzy Gabbert b. Mercedes Blaze/Dani Luna – Dominator to Blaze

Moustache Mountain b. Grizzled Young Veterans via DQ when Imperium interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: June 19, 2019
Location: Download Festival, Leicestershire, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Aiden English

Things are shaking up around here as Imperium has added its fourth member with Alexander Wolfe. That is likely to set up a fourth member of British Strong Style, or at least a friend or two, to help fight off the villains. We could get something very good out of this and I’m rather pleased. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Wolfe joining Imperium last week in a good moment.

Opening sequence.

The arena is in a pretty large hall and the look is a nice change of pace.

Kenny Williams vs. Kassius Ohno

Ohno goes to the arm to start (the right one for a change) and cranks on it again to take Williams down to the mat. Back up and Williams flips over him but Ohno is too big for a sunset flip. For some reason Williams ties himself in the ropes, allowing Ohno to kick him in the face. The chinlock sets up a double arm crank as the fans implore Ohno to not eat Williams.

The backsplash hits Williams’ raised knees, which hurts the knee a bit due to Ohno’s girth. It’s fine enough to flip out of a belly to back suplex and grab a rollup for two. Ohno gets knocked outside for the dropkick through the ropes and a suicide dive. Back in and Ohno breaks up a springboard, setting up the discus elbow to the back of the head for the pin at 7:25.

Rating: C. Perfectly watchable match here with Ohno continuing to look like a formidable villain that a bigger name can take down later. It helps that Ohno knows all of these different styles and can wrestle against just about anyone, which was the case on display here. Williams continues to look good and he’s fine to have around for matches like this.

Post match here’s Imperium, now with their own graphic and matching track suits, so Ohno makes a hasty retreat.

Post break, Marcel Barthel is rather heavily booed before being able to say that the people seem to think Imperium is here to entertain them. That’s not true, because they’re here to restore the honor of their sport. The fans want wrestling as Barthel talks about their numbers increasing. Fans: “WHO ARE YA???” After being told to respect their values, the fans say that they want Pete Dunne.

Wolfe gets cut off by a SANITY chant before saying that he wanted wrestling to be treated with respect. Walter brings up #1 contender Travis Banks, who has an upcoming title shot but Imperium will decide how things will be done. The title match is next week and Banks is a fool for thinking he has a chance against Walter. Cue Banks to say he’s down for a title match next week and Walter needs to bring everything he’s got. The matching suits are a great look for the team and having Wolfe around makes the team feel that much more imposing.

We look back at Gallus attacking the Hunt two weeks ago.

Noam Dar was on the phone when a cameraman interrupted him to ask if Dar took a drive recently. Dar doesn’t like that accusation and mockingly applauds Kenny Williams for his loss. There is room for Williams under Dar’s arm but Williams threatens to treat his arm like his knee.

The Hunt vs. Gallus

It’s Mark Coffey/Wolfgang for Gallus here with Joe Coffey in the corner. The brawl is on in a hurry with the Hunt sending them outside for double suicide dives. We settle down to Boar and Coffey with Mark getting in a full nelson slam. It’s off to Wolfgang for a neck crank, a tag to Coffey for some stomping, and a seated full nelson from Wolfgang.

Coffey slaps on a cobra clutch on the mat as we run the full list of neck related holds. Boar finally flips out of another full nelson and brings Primate in to beat up Wolfgang. Everything breaks down and Boar gets driven into the steps. Back in and the enziguri/powerslam combination finishes Primate at 6:14.

Rating: C. I liked the match well enough and the Hunt can be heated up again without much effort later on. Gallus can be built up again to be fed to Imperium and that’s not a bad place for them. The most important thing though: how much better is the Hunt without their regular names? I’m so glad they figured that out.

Post match Joe joins in for the big beatdown. Dave Mastiff makes the save.

Moustache Mountain is getting a Tag Team Title shot in two weeks. They’re focused on Imperium, but getting the titles is what matters most.

Battle Royal

Xia Brookside, Jinny, Jazzy Gabbert, Kay Lee Ray, Piper Niven, Isla Dawn, Nina Samuels, Killer Kelly, Candy Floss, Rhea Ripley, Rhio, Kanji

The winner gets a future Women’s Title match. Everyone but Jazzy go to the ropes to start before three of them go after Jazzy instead. That means Rhio and Kanji being tossed out, followed by a Dominator to Floss. Jinny gets rid of her and the ring has cleared out in a hurry. Ray is sent outside (not over the top) and comes up holding her knee. Niven picks Jazzy up and puts her on the apron, allowing Brookside to get in a sliding dropkick for the elimination.

That leaves Jinny surrounded so it’s a triple team from Brookside, Dawn and Niven. Jinny is thrown over the top but Jazzy catches her and slides the boss back in. Jazzy is ejected so Xia gets rid of Jinny a few seconds later. Ripley muscles Kelly out and we’re down to five. Brookside and Dawn go after Ripley but Xia gets tied in the Tree of Woe for her efforts.

There goes Dawn and it’s the Ripley vs. Niven showdown. Hang on though as Samuels is tossed and it’s Ripley, Niven, Brookside and Ray on the floor. A Cannonball crushes Ripley but she shoves Ripley over the top to the apron. Niven pulls her out with her and Brookside eliminates them both with a dropkick. The celebration is on but Ray comes back in and dumps Brookside for the win at 8:40.

Rating: C. It’s the right end result and the match was well paced but STOP WITH THAT STUPID ENDING!!! It feels like every other battle royal has that same exact ending and it’s so overdone these days. As soon as Ray was seen on the floor, you knew where this was going because that’s how so many battle royals go these days. Ray winning is fine, but come up with a better way to do it.

Overall Rating: C+. The Imperium segment and the right result for the main event made for a good show, though not quite as solid as some of their recent shows. What matters here is how they set things up for the future, with the UK Title match next week and the Tag Team Titles in two weeks. It makes me want to keep watching and that’s the right idea.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: May 1, 2019
Location: Pier 12, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

We’re still in New York and that means it’s hard to say what we’re getting this week. There is however one very big match set up with United Kingdom Champion Walter facing Jordan Devlin in a non-title match. I’ve seen them have a heck of a match elsewhere so I have some high hopes for this one. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Travis Banks vs. Mansoor

Busy day for Mansoor as he was on the regular NXT as well. Banks takes him to the mat and Mansoor demands that the referee get him off as soon as the rope is reached. Mansoor flips out of a wristlock so Banks is right back with a running knee to the face. A trip to the top doesn’t go well for Banks as Mansoor shoves him off the top and possibly bangs up the previously injured shoulder.

Back in and we hit the arm trap chinlock to stay on the arm (showing some intelligence rather than going with the regular chinlock) but Banks is up in a hurry. The running dropkick hits Mansoor in the corner to put him on the floor, setting up a hard suicide dive. Slice of Heaven is broken up though and Mansoor hits a reverse spinning suplex for two. Banks has had it with him though and it’s the Slice of Heaven into the Kiwi Crusher for the pin at 5:57.

Rating: C+. Banks is someone who seems ready to break out at any given time and now he seems to be getting ready to move forward. This place needs some fresh blood on top and people like Banks and Devlin could fill those roles very well. Mansoor is someone else who is showing their potential and I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him today.

Video on Xia Brookside, who is ready to keep fighting after Rhea Ripley beat her up. The bubbly personality continues.

Ilja Draganov is coming. Cool.

Nia Samuels is ready for her revival. I’m not sure if I am.

Piper Niven vs. Reina Gonzalez

They fight over the power game to start with Reina actually driving the bigger Piper into the corner. Piper’s waistlock is broken up by a ram into the corner and Reina kicks her in the back. The chinlock is broken up so Reina goes with more kicks to take her back down. Niven gets smart by sending her outside for a breather and now it’s time for the slugout. Piper gets the better of this one with an ax handle to the chest, setting up a running crossbody. The backsplash gets two and it’s the Michinoku Driver to finish Reina at 5:00.

Rating: C. This was fun with the two of them hitting each other really hard until Niven had to take it up a notch to beat her. Reina looked good again, just like she did in the tournament. The Texan thing works well for her and the gear gives her a unique look that makes her feel like someone different. Fun hoss fight here, which is exactly what they were shooting for.

Kenny Williams and Amir Jordan want a Tag Team Title shot. They don’t get how the Grizzled Young Veterans can’t lead a locker room they know nothing about. That title shot needs to come in Glasgow.

Gallus can’t wait to come home next week.

Next week in Glasgow: Jordan/Williams get their title shot.

Jordan Devlin vs. Walter

Non-title. Walter throws him down with ease to start and Jordan isn’t sure what to do here. Back in and a few shots have no effect and Walter sends Devlin outside again. Back in again and Devlin blocks the sleeper so Walter kicks him in the face. It’s time to start in on the arm with a hammerlock and then a Crossface as it’s all Walter so far.

A suplex sends Devlin outside for the third time but this time he’s able to get a few shots to the knee. Devlin dragon screw legwhips him around the rope and puts on the half crab. Walter powers out and avoids a dropkick to the knee, setting up a seated senton but the knee gets banged up again. The knee is fine enough for a backdrop and a release German suplex gives Walter two.

The powerbomb is countered into a rollup to give Devlin his own two and they’re both down. Devlin strikes away but gets pulled into a hard Saito suplex for two (the referee telling him to kickout probably helped). Walter goes up top so Devlin tries to pull him down into the Saito, which only kind of connects. That’s enough for Walter, who hits the powerbomb for the pin at 12:37.

Rating: B. This worked very well in a Brock Lesnar vs. AJ Styles formula, with Walter dominating until Devlin got in a few shots to slow the monster down and even things up. Devlin has become one of the better names on the roster and I could see him getting a major push down the line, especially if they ever do a taping in Ireland, which is almost a guarantee.

Post match here’s Pete Dunne to demand his rematch. Walter nods to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. These shows are getting more and more interesting as the top starts make for good shows, but so do the lower level names. That’s what works for NXT and it’s working here too because it’s how wrestling should be done. This show felt important, but so did what they did last week. Next week will be the same, and it makes the show something I want to watch. It’s another good show

Results

Travis Banks b. Mansoor – Kiwi Crusher

Piper Niven b. Reina Gonzalez – Michinoku Driver

Walter b. Jordan Devlin – Powerbomb

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

Worlds Collide: Women Collide
Date: April 24, 2019
Location: Pier 12, New York City, New York
Commentators: Aiden English, Vic Joseph, Mia Yim

This is the last (I think) entry in the series of Axxess events, because that’s something that needed to see the light of day because reasons. The idea here is pretty simple with a bunch of matches between women of different brands. I’m not sure what to expect here as the matches have been mostly good, but this was taped the day after Wrestlemania. Let’s get to it.

Announcers’ preview.

Candice LeRae vs. Kay Lee Ray

Kay starts in on the arm but Candice gets in a nifty spinning reversal. A headlock takeover works a bit better until Kay headscissors her way out of trouble. Some rollups give Candice two each but she’s snapmared down into a rolling kick to the head to give Kay two of her own. Candice is right back with a Black Widow, sending Kay stumbling into the ropes.

Back to back to back dives take Kay down for two but the Lionsault misses. Kay gets caught on the middle rope and a super German suplex gives Candice two. A springboard is broken up with a superkick to the back but Candice is right back with a reverse hurricanrana. Now the Lionsault can connect for the pin at 8:25.

Rating: B. Heck of a match here with Candice looking awesome and Kay more than holding up her end. Candice was working hard to keep up with the more polished Kay and that worked perfectly well. I liked this more than I was expecting to so we’ll call this a rather pleasant surprise to start.

Piper Niven vs. Zelina Vega

This better be a squash. Niven towers over Vega and easily shoves her down but gets drop toeholded into the middle buckle. Choking over the ropes works a bit better for Vega and a missed charge keeps Piper in trouble. Vega manages a tornado DDT to cut off a comeback as this is WAY too much from Vega so far.

A Dragon Sleeper goes on until Piper realizes that she’s twice Vega’s size. The hold is broken up with a toss and the seated crossbody crushes Vega again. The Vader Bomb misses and Vega gets in a Codebreaker. The delayed cover (since Vega can’t pull her) gets two but Vega’s moonsault misses. A scoop sitout brainbuster finishes Vega at 4:58.

Rating: D-. Nope. I did not buy the idea of Vega getting in this kind of offense whatsoever and the match really suffered as a result. I’m assuming Vega got in this much offense because she’s on the main roster, but she’s wrestled what, three matches there? This went beyond the point of being believable and it really didn’t work.

Io Shirai vs. Sonya Deville

Mia doesn’t think much of someone coming from the Octagon to the ring because Sonya’s attitude isn’t enough of a reason to boo her. Shirai starts flipping around and hits a few ax handles but Sonya pulls her hard off the ropes to take over. Sonya gets serious by putting her hair up and kicking away in the corner for two.

The bodyscissors goes on with Sonya slapping the head and ribs a bit for a bonus. The fingers get bent backwards as Yim goes on another anti-MMA rant. Sonya hits a chop and Mia asks if that was necessary. Some elbows to the face as Mia now loves the idea of Worlds Collide because different parts of WWE come together. So to clarify: as long as it’s all WWE with wrestling backgrounds, we’re cool. Got it, I think.

The fans are split as Sonya grabs the chinlock, which doesn’t last long as usual. Sonya misses an enziguri and Io’s missile dropkick gets two (with Aiden calling Sonya a former MMA artist, or a mixed martial artist artist, as said by the Artist). Now the enziguri connects to give Sonya two and a running double leg takedown (just call it a spear) finishes Shirai at 8:22.

Rating: C. Another good but not great match with the biggest point being Mia’s rather strange rant against MMA. Sonya winning is rather odd as well, as Shirai is probably going to go after the Women’s Title soon while Sonya is little more than Mandy Rose’s muscle. It’s not completely unrealistic, but it’s not what I would have done.

NXT UK Women’s Title: Toni Storm vs. Nikki Cross vs. Bianca Belair

Toni is defending and we get Big Match Intros. Nikki goes right at Bianca to start but gets caught in a fall away slam. That gives us Bianca vs. Toni in a showdown that I don’t think many people actually wanted. Toni easily spins out of a wristlock and takes Bianca down but here’s Nikki to chop in the corner. Nikki ties Belair up in the ring skirt and hammers away yet still manages to stop a charge from Toni. Now both of them are tied up in the skirt so Nikki can forearm and scream a lot.

Back in and a high crossbody gets two on Toni so Belair throws Nikki outside. That doesn’t last long as Nikki is back in for a three way knockdown. Toni is up first with the running hip attacks in the corner but Belair spears both of them down. The KOD hits Nikki with Toni diving in for the save. The hair whip puts Toni in the corner but Bianca goes shoulder first into the post. Cross is back in with the reverse DDT to Toni and Belair is sent outside. That leaves Cross to take Storm Zero to retain Toni’s title at 7:29.

Overall Rating: C+. Another pretty good but completely skippable show in a series of them. I like the Worlds Collide concept but there are some things that you just don’t need to film. It’s fine if I don’t get to see the matches from Axxess and while the shows weren’t bad, they’re nothing that is going to stick with me. Well maybe other than Mia being ultra serious about everything and her weird hatred of mixed martial artist (artists) getting into wrestling. Seriously what was that?

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: April 10, 2019
Location: Coventry Skydome Arena, Coventry, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

It’s the final show from the taping cycle and while the United Kingdom Title changed hands about six weeks after this was filmed, I’m sure something will be mentioned in an inserted video. As for tonight though, we have the Women’s Title to worry about as Toni Storm is defending against Jinny. They have quite the rivalry in Progress so this should be good. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Storm vs. Jinny. Storm won the title earlier in the year and Jinny is tired of it always being Toni Time. We get some clips of their Progress matches, with Toni saying that Jinny doesn’t like being made to work for something and tonight she has to fight.

Opening sequence.

Travis Banks vs. Kassius Ohno

Feeling out process to start with Ohno taking over off a wristlock but getting reversed into a headlock. Banks tries a shoulder but Ohno doesn’t go very far. He turns his head to look at Banks and says “Oh I didn’t see you! I didn’t feel you either.” Ohno loads up a shoulder of his own but stomps on Banks’ foot instead. Banks goes with the kicks to the chest instead and one to the back puts Ohno on the floor.

The dive is countered though and Ohno kicks him in the face. Banks is fine enough to hit a running kick to the chest from the apron, only to be sent into the steps for his efforts. Back in and a running legdrop gives Ohno two but he misses a backsplash. The kicks to the chest (they like kicking in this one) keep Ohno in trouble until a knee to Banks’ injured shoulder has him writhing on the mat.

Ohno walks around for a bit until they trade more kicks. The pump kick gives Ohno two so it’s time to pull on the arm a little bit. A reversed whip sends Ohno to the apron and a dropkick puts him on the floor. Now the suicide dive connects, allowing Banks to hit a running knee to the face.

Back in and Banks gets caught in an electric chair, which is countered into a victory roll for two. A quick Kiwi Crusher gets two more but Ohno throws him onto his shoulders again for a Rubik’s Cube (One Winged Angel) for two which should have been three. Ohno is so surprised that he gets rolled up twice in a row, followed by a third attempt for the pin at 14:47.

Rating: B. Questionable use of such a major move that didn’t end the match aside, this was a smart way to use Ohno. He’s so much bigger than Banks (or just about anyone else on the roster) and it’s a good idea to have him wrestle this kind of an aggressive style. Banks looks like he can beat a monster, which is a good way to get him back on the right track.

We look back at Piper Niven debuting last week and scaring off Rhea Ripley.

Long video on Pete Dunne vs. Walter.

Jordan Devlin is sick of hearing about Dunne’s rematch because he’d rather hear about his own title shot.

Piper Niven vs. Killer Kelly

Piper stalks her a bit and we get an early handshake. Kelly goes a little more aggressive than I would have expected and tries a cravate, earning herself a slam and backsplash. A regular splash gets two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and Kelly slips off Piper’s shoulder and grabs a sleeper, which is reversed with a crash into the corner. A Cannonball into a Michinoku Driver gives Piper the pin at 3:35.

Rating: D+. Not quite a squash but Kelly never felt like any kind of a threat. That’s the right way to present someone like Piper, who shouldn’t be in any kind of trouble until she’s in there with Ripley. Yeah she’s big, but she moves around very well and came off as very athletic, which is a great combination.

Post match Rhea tries to sneak in but gets stared back up the aisle.

Moustache Mountain is ready to come to New York to face Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews.

The Grizzled Young Veterans aren’t happy with having to go to New York because Gibson doesn’t want to miss Liverpool games. There’s going to be a non-title challenge to any team from the NXT UK roster.

Joseph Conners vs. Jack Starz

Starz spins out of a wristlock to start and puts Conners down into a wristlock. Conners’ British Bulldog lift out of a short armscissors is countered into a sunset flip to give Starz two. With early frustration setting in, Conners hits a top rope shoulder and it’s off to a neck crank. Some elbow drops have Starz in more trouble and Conners wants the referee to check on him. The referee thinks Starz is fine so Conners hits a hard clothesline but Starz slips between his legs. A running corner dropkick sets up a high crossbody, which Conners rolls through into Don’t Look Down for the pin at 4:46.

Rating: C-. Remember all the other times I’ve criticized Conners’ matches in the same way? It’s the exact same thing here. Don’t Look Down is a good name for a finisher and it’s not a bad move….but it’s Joseph Conners doing the thing. I’d like to care about him, but he is just so uninteresting and dull that there’s nothing he can do to fix his problems.

Video on Dave Mastiff, who is back soon.

Women’s Title: Toni Storm vs. Jinny

Jinny is challenging. They go right at it to start with Toni getting the better of it and grabbing a half crab. The fans don’t make it any better by calling Jinny a Primark Princess, though Toni switching to an STF might be more painful (emphasis on might). After using the rope for a break, it’s off to a camel clutch to put Toni in trouble for a change. Storm reverses into a surfboard on the mat but Jinny is right back in the ropes for the break.

A Downward Spiral into the middle buckle knocks Toni silly and it’s time to start in on the back. Jinny hits a backbreaker and grabs a chinlock with a knee in the back. Now it’s a regular chinlock as Jinny is looking rather strong so far. Toni fights up with some rolling German suplexes but another shot to the back cuts her off. Jinny’s version of Storm Zero is countered with a headbutt and Jinny is rocked. She’s fine enough to try a hurricanrana, which is reversed into a powerbomb. Storm Zero retains the title at 10:34.

Rating: B-. Jinny was treated as an equal here and a real threat to the title, which is the best thing that can happen to the division at the moment. Storm and Ripley have been on top for so long that they need someone fresh in the ranks. It doesn’t have to be someone to win the title, but there needs to be someone who makes Toni sweat, which is what we had here.

Overall Rating: B+. That’s one of the better shows they’ve had and they’re wisely taking a path that NXT took: what you see right now on this show, no matter what it might be, is the most important thing. They treated the Women’s Title match like a big deal, just as they did Trent Seven vs. Joe Coffey before. It makes everything on the show feel important, which gives you a reason to want to watch. Some things are of course more important than others, but you wouldn’t know that from commentary and that’s the right way to go about things.

Results

Travis Banks b. Kassius Ohno – Rollup

Piper Niven b. Killer Kelly – Michinoku Driver

Joseph Conners b. Jack Starz – Don’t Look Down

Toni Storm b. Jinny – Storm Zero

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/02/22/new-book-kbs-monday-nitro-thunder-reviews-volume-vii-january-june-2000/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Mae Young Classic Episode #7
Date: September 4, 2017
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Jim Ross, Lita

We’re down to the final eight and that means four quarterfinal matches tonight. You can probably guess what’s coming for the final four but that’s what makes these rounds exciting: there’s the chance of a big upset and that could change everything. Things were a lot better in the second round and hopefully that’s the case here too. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of how all eight made it to the quarterfinals.

No bio videos here, though to be fair you should know who they are at this point.

Quarterfinals: Abbey Laith vs. Mercedes Martinez

Abbey takes her down in a test of strength to start until a hard palm strike to the jaw slows Laith down. Mercedes headlocks her for a bit before a heck of a slap staggers Abbey again. A spinning kick is countered so Abbey just does the splits instead of getting dropped again. Laith kicks at the arm a bit and JR brings up the two years off that Mercedes needed for a shoulder injury. That little background information often helps things so much and I wish we got more of it in WWE.

Abbey chops her back and kicks Mercedes in the head for two. That just earns Abbey a hard whip into the post and they fight to the apron with Lita joining the IT’S THE HARDEST PART OF THE RING club. Abbey kicks her out to the floor (which hasn’t been the case very often in the tournament) for a crossbody to leave both of them laying.

Back in and Abbey tries to get fired up but Mercedes sends her outside for a breather. That goes nowhere so Abbey grabs a bridging German suplex for two, drawing a heck of a scream out of Laith on the kickout. Mercedes grabs the fisherman’s buster for the pin at 8:57 in another fast finish.

Rating: B. These finishes coming out of nowhere aren’t doing much for me and they’re becoming a pattern around here. Mercedes advancing is the right call as she’s been treated as a veteran killer so sending her to the semifinals makes sense. Good match here too, which is all you can ask for.

Johnny Gargano is here and you know what that means.

Quarterfinals: Candice LeRae vs. Shayna Baszler

The winner gets Martinez in the semifinals. Shayna wastes no time with a hard knee lift and looks like she’s toying with Candice to start. A kick misses though and Shayna crotches herself to give Candice a breather. Shayna gets sent outside for a suicide dive into a DDT (cool) to drop her on her head. Back in and we hit an Octopus hold on Baszler, followed by the Gargano Escape for a nice touch. Baszler calmly powers her up for a side slam and tries a super gutwrench suplex. Ms. LeRae’s Wild Ride is easily countered into the rear naked choke for the tap at 3:11.

Rating: C+. They were getting going here until the very sudden ending, though this was the right idea. The idea behind Baszler is that she can finish you in the blink of an eye and that’s exactly what they should be going for with her. LeRae is going to be fine wherever she goes and that suicide DDT was freaking sweet. Throw in the submission tease and they had me going a few times here. Give this more time though and it’s instantly better.

Baszler won’t let go of the hold, to the point where I thought they were going to reverse the decision for a second. She even kicks at LeRae as the doctors check on her. Now that’s how you book a heel.

Quarterfinals: Piper Niven vs. Toni Storm

Storm takes the far bigger Niven into the corner and gives her a playful tap on the jaw. For some reason Toni thinks a test of strength is a good idea with Niven taking her down. Storm bridges up and Niven can’t break it for an impressive strength display. Like, a very impressive one as Toni isn’t that big. They bridge up at the same time and shake hands upside down for a cute bit.

Niven powers her down and gets two off a splash, followed by Toni getting the same off a crossbody. Two more splashes give Piper the same so Toni grabs a Backstabber (popular move in this tournament) for a breather. A German suplex is countered into the Michinoku Driver for two and Piper is stunned. She tries the Vader Bomb, only to get caught in a German superplex. A top rope legdrop sends Storm on at 7:36.

Rating: C+. I don’t think anyone was buying the idea that Niven was anything more than a dragon for someone to slay. Storm is as good of an option as anyone else as she has a great look and feels like someone they want to push the heck out of, especially over time. Good enough match here and while Storm isn’t making it to the finals, she’s getting noticed, which is often more important.

Baszler’s fellow Four Horsewomen are proud of her win but here are Bayley, Charlotte and Becky Lynch for the staredown. Rousey: “Anytime, anyplace.” Say…..New Orleans perhaps? Maybe early April?

Funaki is here.

Quarterfinals: Kairi Sane vs. Dakota Kai

Kairi headlocks her down to start and the fans seem pleased at an early standoff. A spinning backfist misses and Kai gives her a martial arts pose. Kairi takes her into the corner for some hard chops as this is getting physical. The fans are behind Kairi but get quieted down with a running kick to the jaw in the corner. Kairi is tired of getting hit in the face so she spears Kai down for a breather.

Kai hits another running kick in the corner but gets sent into the corner. Kairi can’t hit a superplex but can avoid a top rope double stomp with Kai tweaking the knee on the landing. A top rope Phenomenal Forearm gives Kairi two but Kai kicks her down again. Another running kick in the corner misses though and it’s an Alabama Slam it’s the top rope elbow to send Sane to the semifinals at 7:42.

Rating: B. I’m starting to get the appeal of Sane and a lot of it is due to having her do stuff like this. Kai was very game here and that made for a more entertaining match. People like Sane are going to get more out of this than by squashing someone so it’s definitely the right call. Kai will have a job in WWE if she wants one but this is Sane’s tournament to win. Maybe.

The semifinals are set:

Kairi Sane

Toni Storm

Mercedes Martinez

Shayna Baszler

Overall Rating: B. I’m not sure what it says that I’m more interested in the Four Horsewomen battle than the tournament but that was definitely one of the big draws of this whole thing. The final four are interesting and while you can almost pencil in Sane vs. Baszler for the whole thing, that’s not the worst result in the world. Good show here and I’m fired up for the last two shows.

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